The exoskeleton industry is being held back by a lack of standards, according to Forbes contributor Borislav Marinov.
A lack of guidelines, common terminology, and testing methodology leave it to users to develop their own best practices and evaluation procedures. Exoskeleton technology can augment construction workers physical ability and potentially reduce injuries.
The dearth of standards prevents the gathering of test results, which, in turn, has hindered the development of industrial exoskeleton applications, Marinov wrote. Although organizations such as ASTM International and the International Organization for Standards have released some standards, they fall short of the comprehensive rules that are needed to give users a deep understanding of exoskeleton use.
Even so, Marinov points out that the market for exoskeletons for industrial use has gone from next to nothing to nearly 10,000 commercially purchased units over the past 10 years.
Related Stories
AEC Tech | Aug 25, 2017
Software cornucopia: Jacksonville Jaguars’ new practice facility showcases the power of computational design
The project team employed Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Kangaroo, and a host of other software applications to design and build this uber-complex sports and entertainment facility.
AEC Tech | Aug 24, 2017
Big Data helps space optimization, but barriers remain
Space optimization is a big issue on many university campuses, as schools face increasing financial constraints, writes Hanbury’s Jimmy Stevens.
Lighting | Aug 2, 2017
Dynamic white lighting mimics daylighting
By varying an LED luminaire’s color temperature, it is possible to mimic daylighting, to some extent, and the natural circadian rhythms that accompany it, writes DLR Group’s Sean Avery.
Office Buildings | Jul 20, 2017
SGA uses virtual design and construction technology to redevelop N.Y. building into modern offices
287 Park Avenue South is a nine-story Classical Revival building previously known as the United Charities Building.
Accelerate Live! | Jul 6, 2017
Watch all 20 Accelerate Live! talks on demand
BD+C’s inaugural AEC innovation conference, Accelerate Live! (May 11, Chicago), featured talks on machine learning, AI, gaming in construction, maker culture, and health-generating buildings.
| Jun 13, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Is the road to the future the path of least resistance? Sasha Reed, Bluebeam (sponsored)
Bluebeam’s Sasha Reed discusses why AEC leaders should give their teams permission to responsibly break things and create ecosystems of people, process, and technology.
| Jun 13, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: 3D laser scanning for the project lifecycle, FARO Technologies (sponsored)
Brent Slawnikowski of FARO Technologies and Jennifer Suerth of Pepper Construction discuss how implementation of laser scanning has helped Pepper become more successful in the completion of their projects.
| Jun 13, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Incubating innovation through R&D and product development, Jonatan Schumacher, Thornton Tomasetti
Thornton Tomasetti’s Jonatan Schumacher presents the firm’s business model for developing, incubating, and delivering cutting-edge tools and solutions for the firm, and the greater AEC market.
| Jun 13, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: The future of computational design, Ben Juckes, Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign
Yazdani’s Ben Juckes discusses the firm’s tech-centric culture, where scripting has become an every-project occurrence and each designer regularly works with computational tools as part of their basic toolset.
| Jun 13, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: A case for Big Data in construction, Graham Cranston, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Graham Cranston shares SGH’s efforts to take hold of its project data using mathematical optimization techniques and information-rich interactive visual graphics.
